October 13, 2017

Obligatory Seriousness on Weinstein's Couch

In the news is the scandal accompanying the sublimated outrage now apparent over the sexual practices of one Harvey Weinstein, Hollywood producer extraordinaire. The first thing that comes to mind is exactly how Warren Beatty and John Malkovich are immune. Weinstein has been sacked from his own company by its board of directors over a trashcan fire of accusations of sexual misconduct over the past n years leaping from the mouths and attorneys of various actresses and wanna-be actresses. Powerful man, young impressionable girl trying to get into the business, errands are ordered, she ends up in his hotel room shocked to see him naked.

There is, of course, a political angle which hangs on the credibility of the [Progressive] associations for which Weinstein has been a notable donor, including the Presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton. In the classic form of 'Who knew what and when' there is an accompanying storm of outrage and demands that receivers of Weinstein's largesse refund the money and thereby wash their hands of him.

All of this is rather silly considering the purpose of most of Hollywood's entertainment business and the role of sparkling young women in it. Some have tried to make this a case of the Abuse of Women whereas I am brought to mind of a famous old joke told by Winston Churchill.

“Churchill: "Madam, would you sleep with me for five million pounds?" Socialite: "My goodness, Mr. Churchill... Well, I suppose... we would have to discuss terms, of course... "Churchill: "Would you sleep with me for five pounds?"Socialite: "Mr. Churchill, what kind of woman do you think I am?!" Churchill: "Madam, we've already established that. Now we are haggling about the price”

What indeed kind of woman wants to be a Hollywood film star? I would venture to say that a very different kind of woman than one who wants to be a Broadway actress. As ESR has succinctly put it:

The blunt truth is that for aspiring young actresses Hollywood is a sexual marketplace to begin with, and they know it. A woman who makes it through the initial starlet phase may earn a reputation for acting chops, but at that beginning all she really has to trade on her is her attractiveness. The step from “I have to be sexy to a million men” to “I have sex with this mogul” is not really very large. Especially because women are turned on by power to begin with.

As with most dysfunctional things these days, especially concerning howls of outrage coming from the corner of non-traditionalists, I tend to ask what it is that human beings have known for hundreds of years and have instituted as a hedge against such teeth gnashing. In this case, the answer is Marriage. It is that respectable thing for which (it used to be that) everybody knows the rules. Clearly if the rules were followed here, there would be no drama at the Weinstein companies. Yes. Obvious. That's as about as bent out of shape as I can get about it. It bears repeating that the Catholic Church has been keeping track of all of the movies in the world and probably have a tag for infidelity and other sexual hijinks as a warning to the circumspect. Wonder what the percentages are for Miramax and Weinstein. That's a number I dare anyone to produce in this blatherstorm.

Comments

Obligatory Seriousness on Weinstein's Couch

In the news is the scandal accompanying the sublimated outrage now apparent over the sexual practices of one Harvey Weinstein, Hollywood producer extraordinaire. The first thing that comes to mind is exactly how Warren Beatty and John Malkovich are immune. Weinstein has been sacked from his own company by its board of directors over a trashcan fire of accusations of sexual misconduct over the past n years leaping from the mouths and attorneys of various actresses and wanna-be actresses. Powerful man, young impressionable girl trying to get into the business, errands are ordered, she ends up in his hotel room shocked to see him naked.

There is, of course, a political angle which hangs on the credibility of the [Progressive] associations for which Weinstein has been a notable donor, including the Presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton. In the classic form of 'Who knew what and when' there is an accompanying storm of outrage and demands that receivers of Weinstein's largesse refund the money and thereby wash their hands of him.

All of this is rather silly considering the purpose of most of Hollywood's entertainment business and the role of sparkling young women in it. Some have tried to make this a case of the Abuse of Women whereas I am brought to mind of a famous old joke told by Winston Churchill.

“Churchill: "Madam, would you sleep with me for five million pounds?" Socialite: "My goodness, Mr. Churchill... Well, I suppose... we would have to discuss terms, of course... "Churchill: "Would you sleep with me for five pounds?"Socialite: "Mr. Churchill, what kind of woman do you think I am?!" Churchill: "Madam, we've already established that. Now we are haggling about the price”

What indeed kind of woman wants to be a Hollywood film star? I would venture to say that a very different kind of woman than one who wants to be a Broadway actress. As ESR has succinctly put it:

The blunt truth is that for aspiring young actresses Hollywood is a sexual marketplace to begin with, and they know it. A woman who makes it through the initial starlet phase may earn a reputation for acting chops, but at that beginning all she really has to trade on her is her attractiveness. The step from “I have to be sexy to a million men” to “I have sex with this mogul” is not really very large. Especially because women are turned on by power to begin with.

As with most dysfunctional things these days, especially concerning howls of outrage coming from the corner of non-traditionalists, I tend to ask what it is that human beings have known for hundreds of years and have instituted as a hedge against such teeth gnashing. In this case, the answer is Marriage. It is that respectable thing for which (it used to be that) everybody knows the rules. Clearly if the rules were followed here, there would be no drama at the Weinstein companies. Yes. Obvious. That's as about as bent out of shape as I can get about it. It bears repeating that the Catholic Church has been keeping track of all of the movies in the world and probably have a tag for infidelity and other sexual hijinks as a warning to the circumspect. Wonder what the percentages are for Miramax and Weinstein. That's a number I dare anyone to produce in this blatherstorm.